Ralph Siraco’s horse racing notes

Wednesday, April 18, 2001 | 10:14 a.m.

It's now 17 days to the 127th running of the Kentucky Derby. And that is about the amount of contenders ready to line up for America's most famous horse race.

Saturday's Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland has produced five participants now ready for the run for the roses. The winner, Millennium Wind, posted the highest Beyer Speed rating of any 3-year-old this year when his gate-to-wire tally earned a 114 figure. Ridden by the world's winningest jockey, Laffit Pincay, Jr., the David Hofmans trainee will give his conditioner a first-starter in the Derby while Pincay tacks the Churchill Downs centerpiece for the 20th time.

If Pincay pulls off the victory for his second lifetime Derby score, having won the Derby in 1984 with Swale, the 54-year-old will fall four months short of being the oldest rider to win the race. Bill Shoemaker won the Derby at 54 aboard Ferdinand in 1986, and, since the Shoe was born in August he beats Pincay, a December offspring.

Other Blue Grass-Derby starters are Dollar Bill (3rd), Invisible Ink (4th), A.P. Valentine (5th) and a probable in Songandaprayer, who finished second.

From the New York road, only two Wood Memorial starters move down the pike to Louisville. Wood winner Congaree heads into the Derby as part of a potent pair from the Bob Baffert barn. The lightly raced runner has impressed many with his swift rise to contention -- all, that is, except for his trainer, who always thought he was as good as his more famous stablemate Point Given -- for now.

Florida Derby winner Monarchos, who finished second in the Wood, will appreciate the longer distance of the Derby.

As in the Wood, only the top two finishers from the Arkansas Derby make their next stop in the Kentucky Derby.

The third of the big three Derby prep events held last Saturday saw Balto Star confirm his brilliant Spiral Stakes performance with a gate-to-wire victory. Runner-up Jamaica Rum will take the next connecting flight to Louisville from Los Angeles after his Hot Springs effort.

Sitting on Derby-earning performances from two Saturdays past, Santa Anita Derby winner Point Given lands at Louisville airport today for his assault as pre-Derby favorite while Flamingo Stakes winner Thunder Blitz is already on the grounds at Churchill Downs.

Louisiana Derby winner Fifty Stars, who was a closing second in the recent Lone Star Derby, is on hand. Invaders from the sands of Dubai include the first two finishers who were separated by a short head in the United Arab Emirates Derby in Express Tour and Street Cry. While Street Cry will have to break the perceived habit of hanging in his races, Express Tour must overcome a slight setback from a bruised left front hoof.

Several horses waiting in the wings will have a final chance to claim their berth in the Kentucky Derby this Saturday.

The $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes will serve as a possible Derby springboard for Illinois Derby winner Distilled, in addition to Gift Of The Eagle, Global Gait and Griffinite.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who has had at least one starter in the Kentucky Derby for 22 consecutive years, starts Turnberry Isle in the Lexington hoping for a big effort and a chance to keep his Derby-starter streak alive. Also on the Derby starter watch is Illinois Derby runner-up Saint Damien.

Those who have dropped off the Derby hunt include Hero's Tribute, who finished a baffling last in the Blue Grass; Crafty Shaw, who fractured his right hind ankle while seventh in the Arkansas Derby; Percy Hope, who is pointing for the May 19 Preakness Stakes and a shot at a $1 million bonus; and Startac, whose connections believe the 'dirt' experiment is over and will return him to turf racing.

And, if you think this Kentucky Derby renewal is tough, just look at the all-star riders who are still without a mount for the big race. Chris McCarron, Jerry Bailey and last year's winning rider Kent Desormeaux may find their seats at the Derby are in the front row of the box area.